Coachella week 2.0 started off with a bang! The Glitch Mob crushed the weekend with another brilliant set, pulling out all the tricks and turnarounds their fans (including myself) will hopefully retain for a lifetime. Here’s a few choice pics of their set, taken by my good friend/super-producer/system-smashing Professor Bang!

Sunset – minutes before our set starts

Drive [the spaceship] like you stole it

14z4r5

The Mob

Hands up!

The spaceship has landed

Massive

bright

BRIGHTER

THE WILD ONES

While an HD video of the live stream was broadcast through Coachella, I’ve only been able to find a few clips of their set online. I did find this official Thank You video the festival produced to recap both weekends, can anyone count how many hidden cameos they make over its 2.5 minute duration? (Easter egg: the background song Coachella chose for this video was written by VirtualBoy, a member of our opening act on the tour Penthouse Penthouse!)

The beautiful thing about running a show in the same location twice in a row, is the second time around is the equipment is already dialed in from the previous show, happily waiting for you. The kinks have been sorted and it’s all about fine-tuning, really locking in the details and helping to facilitate the best possible performance for the audience to enjoy. The band feels comfortable and confident after a solid run-through and for the most part, everything flows effortlessly.

Tech Tip: Next time you have the opportunity of catching a show on the first or second night, go for round two! Nothing puts a performance over the top like a little Practice & Polish.

Part of Coachella’s legacy is their reputation for taking care of their artists and crew. Here’s a few pics of good times I took on the grounds this year, backstage and behind-the-scenes:

Of course, no trip would be complete without a little Hotel studio session:

Q: When’s the best time to work on music? A: Do you have 5 minutes?

Sometimes the only time you get to work on music or a hobby is when you’re forced into isolation. Some of my best material has been written on plane trips across the country, trapped in a hotel room, or sitting in airports! I always bring a cube tap with me to airports so there’s always an outlet available, eliminating the need to confront that MMA fighter hogging all the juice with his iPad.

Remember, when checking luggage at an airport, don’t cause yourself a headache by overpacking! Our Production Manager Harrybarry has it down to a science with a 49 lb. pack! This time I managed to squeak by without cross-loading into my carry-on:

How does a suitcase full of tools, clothes, and music equipment check in? (hint – think mouse)

Thanks to everyone for an amazing two weekends! I will leave you with an overhead view of our tent, taken by a helicopter shortly before the festival started. It perfectly encapsulates the magic these grounds convey over hundreds of hours of continuous music across 6 stages, for music lovers, by music lovers.